Triangular Matches

In 1935 the Board voted $50 for prizes for the Triangular Team Matches that initiated the annual competition between the three Seniors’ Associations from New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island and to become known as the Triangular Team Golf Championship. The purpose was to generate goodwill and fellowship, as well as competition between senior golfers in the metropolitan area. It was an instant success and the competition continues to this day.

Each team is composed of 12 players; the association champion, one from Class AAA and two from Classes AA through D. Officers and the Team Captain from each association attend the event as officials, but they are not involved in the competition. A Team Captain is appointed by each association to organize and managed their team’s participation as well as selecting the best courses when their team is host for the matches. Early results are hard to come by due to the loss of minutes and other historical records. Minutes of the NJ Seniors do document the fact that the inaugural event was held in 1935 even though the Long Island group did not formally organize until early in the 1950’s. There are documents existing covering early contests, particularly as they relate to New Jersey victories.

The minutes of April 1936 report that Alex P. Gray of Arcola Country Club was appointed “Captain of the team to play against Westchester and Long Island.” That September, Captain Gray reported that the New Jersey team won the Triangular competition, for the second consecutive year. He followed up in 1940 with a report that New Jersey lost to the, “New York Seniors, the first time in many years.”

The original tournament rules and regulations established are basically still in effect today. Competition is on the basis of Match Play with three points awarded for each match. A striking feature of the Triangular Championship Matches over the many years has been the caliber of the players, the intense competition and the quality of the golf courses that have been chosen for play.

Below is a partial listing of the history of the Triangular Team Matches, starting with the year 1964.

The 2025 Triangular Match will be hosted by the Westchester Senior's Golf Association at Whippoorwill Club on October 8th.